One of the quirks of the way we do Game of the Year voting here at GWJ is that there's the possibility that a game that wasn't released this year will end up in the ranking anyway. That's what happened with Saint's Row the Third. It took the #8 spot in last year's voting and this year takes the #10 spot as more people played it and fell in love.

Diablo 3

Despite being decried here and elsewhere as broken, Diablo III managed to cast its dark spell anyway and landed the same spot as last year's equally controversial Dragon Age 2.

Mark of the Ninja

One of this year's indie darlings, this game was praised by most for doing what seemed impossible: creating a rock solid side-scrolling stealth game that, for some, perfected the genre.

Borderlands 2

Building on the success of its predecessor, Borderlands 2 won players over with its gorgeous art style and addictive, loot-drop gameplay.

Journey — Special Award: Console Exclusive Game of the Year

Despite being not only a console exclusive but a PlayStation 3 exclusive, Journey impressed nearly everyone who played it. thatgamecompany has created something truly unique and memorable.

Dishonored

Whether you approached the game with stealth or death in mind, Dishonored accommodated a variety of gameplay styles in a dark, beautifully realized world. Turns out the comparisons to Thief: The Dark Project weren't just hype.

FTL — Special Awards: PC Exclusive Game of the Year; Indie Game of the Year

Kickstarted to completion, FTL is about as indie as it gets. A lo-fi space faring roguelike, it won praise for its scathing difficulty and addictive replays.

Mass Effect 3 — Special Award: Best-Loved Game of the Year

Polarizing even now, Mass Effect 3 collected more top votes than any other game this year and was also called out as a disappointment by more posters than any other.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown — Special Award: Most Loved Game of the Year

How do you follow up a gaming classic? Like this. XCOM: Enemy Unknown refined the gameplay of its venerated predecessor without losing much of what made it so special. This game collect more raw votes than any other.

The Walking Dead

It didn't have the most votes, and it didn't have the most #1 votes, but as I ran the numbers it felt like nearly every list had The Walking Dead listed in its top half. At the start of the year, who would have guessed that GWJ's #1 game would be a licensed adventure game? I certainly wouldn't have.

And now, some special awards, for games that were significant but didn't crack the top ten:

Persona 4: Golden — Special Award: Handheld Game of the Year

The PlayStation Vita might be struggling, but the handheld's port of this JRPG classic won a number of accolades. Galactic punt!

Ascension: Twilight of the Gods — Special Award: Mobile Game of the Year

Collectible card games seem to have found a cozy home in the world of smart phones and tablets, but no more so than Ascension. Taking advantage of a digital environment to smooth out some of its edges (like shuffling, shuffling, shuffling your decks), Ascension has become many GWJers' go-to mobile game.

Regarding Journey, platform exclusives have a rough go of it in community votes (I'd have played it if I had a PS3). Especially in a PC-first community like this one. Half of my games were listed by fewer than five other people. C'est la vie.

I think it's awesome that Saint's Row the Third has a chance to be be top 10 or top 5 after looking through the lists.

10) Diablo III - Online issues galore during the opening weeks put a damper on the fun, but I still had a great time rolling through the game 3 times on my Wizard, especially with the seamless drop in/drop out co-op.

9) The Binding of Isaac - Someone gifted this to me sometime last year. I'm not sure why I decided to finally give it a whirl, but I sure am glad I did. Beneath the twisted aesthetic is a deep game with a myriad of upgrades and secrets.

8) Paper Mario: Sticker Star - Simply delightful. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one, as it had been described as more of an adventure game than an RPG. Thankfully, the evil Minarchist convinced me to take a chance and discover the game that would finally dislodge Super Mario 3D Land from my neglected 3DS.

7) Mass Effect 3 - Hey guys, this game is actually pretty good. It's not nearly as good as Mass Effect 2. There were an awful lot of odd choices with story progression and general game mechanics, but I still enjoyed seeing the finale play out for my Shepard. The multiplayer was also surprisingly good.

6) XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Amazing game that is brought down a few notches by an inexcusable number of bugs.

5) FTL - What a delightful surprise. Thank you Squee9 for gifting this to me a few weeks after release. I didn't even know what this game was until I booted it up, but it's largely responsible for the absence of Borderlands 2 from my list. I got them near the same time, and FTL was the one that kept luring me back in. I did not see that coming.

4) The Walking Dead - I just started this a week ago. If I had another week to get this damn list in, I could easily see this jumping even further up my list, but I only just finished episode 3 last night. I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said. Great stuff.

3) Johann Sebastian Joust - This game always sounded pretty cool to me, but I didn't have any way to actually try it. ENTER PENCON. Pencon was a great experience, but the 2-3 hours of JSJ we played was definitely the highlight of the trip. It looks pretty strange at first glance, but once you get out there with 4-6 other people and the glowing Move controllers, it all clicks, and hilarious competition commences. It was 2 hours of playful pushing, slapping, dancing, forming alliances, running like little girls, watching Minarchist ride atop Oily's shoulders to his near death, and so much laughing. Respect knuckles to Cyrax, Monochelli, and Pyro's gf for some stiff competition

2) Hero Academy - Uh... Why is there an iOS game at number 2? Well, it's there because it was easily the game I spent the most time with this year (besides League of Legends, which doesn't count here). 120ish games and counting. I think I topped out at 15 games simultaneously. I'm a bit sad that the GWJ player contingent for this game seems to have died down for the most part because I still get excited when my phone rings with the Hero Academy tone. Anyone still playing, hit me up for a game anytime!

1) Journey - Absolutely Incredible. The best 2 hours of gaming you could hope to experience. The only game that has ever actually gotten me to tear up. Easy pick for my GOTY.

Honorable Mentions:

Borderlands 2
Botanicula
Sound Shapes
Kingdom Rush
Dikembe Mutumbo's 4 1/2 Weeks to Save the World
Frog Fractions
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition - I figured I wouldn't cheat and put this on my list, since it was my GOTY last year

Squee9 wrote:

Ahh Dyni, I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.

My disclaimer is my gaming time was WAAAY down this year, if it wasn't for PC my GOTY would be Netflix. I’m just saying, it was that kind of gaming year. On the flip side, the gaming I did do was mostly on PC and a lot of “catch up” gaming. So, because I know the suspense is killing, here is my GOTY list:

1. Kerbal Space Program (PC) - Design my own rockets, deal with orbital mechanics and interplanetary space flight? Yes, please. The game was pretty solid when I bought it earlier this year, and now with patches to add docking and plan orbital maneuvers, it just keeps getting better.

2. XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PC) - Growing up TFTD was the first X-COM to catch me. I replayed the demo over and over until I was able to save up and buy the actual game. I was skeptical about this going in, but respect Firaxis so I pre-ordered. I really enjoyed what they did with the game and LOVE the fact it was also on consoles. MOAR turn based console titles.

4. Crusader Kings II (PC) - This was my surprise of the year. I heard enough talk after it released that I picked it up really enjoyed it. There is enough room in it that I can really create a story in my mind and play out a dynasty. I didn’t get enough time but really want to get back into it, I could see this game moving up the list if I revisited it after letting the 2012 game experience ferment more.

5. Civ 5 Gods and Kings (PC) - Kinda cheating to put it here but the expansion was enough to bring me back into Civ 5 and I liked the implementation of religion.

6. Skyrim (PC) - I only put a fraction of time into this that I wanted, but enjoyed the world enough that it makes the list.

7. Minecraft (XBLA) - Also kind of a cheat since my main push was on the PC last year, but the port was good and I got enough time playing MP with the kids that it warrants consideration.

8. Unity of Command (PC) - I’ve always been very interested in the Hearts of Iron games (and other wargames) but my schedule (actual or perceived) hasn’t allowed me to learn the systems required. UoC is “light” enough that I can pick it up and get up to speed quickly.

9. Fez (XBLA) - It’s a cross between art style, platformer, and unique gameplay the get this on my list. Probably higher if I played it more.

10. Dungeons of Dredmor (PC) - An accessible rougelike. I bought this last year, but didn’t get around to playing it until FTL got me back into rougelikes. I’m cheating and including it because the Conquest of the Wizardlands DLC came out this year. Also, rougelikes are great. Rougelikes.

Honorable mentions - These are games I liked but didn’t include in the top 10 because I feel a bias from either just finishing or currently playing them:
Primordia
Deponia
Cargo Commander
Skylanders Giants
Trials Evolution

Unknowns - The games I wish I had time to play before making this list:
Hotline Miami
Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers
Unmechanical
Warlock Master of the Arcane
Resonance
Borderlands 2
Tropico 4

Let downs - Just not feeling these games:
The Walking Dead - Admittedly, I’m only about half through the second episode. I can see why people like the game, but there is something about it that I don’t like. Maybe it feels too scripted?

Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD - It just didn’t work for me this time, it felt dated. I suppose the problem was more with my expectations than the game itself.

Diablo III - Just meh. Same as above, I suppose the problem was more with my expectations than the game itself.

Any interest in a game of the week club to roll through the top 10 a week at a time and discuss it in IRC or Vent at the end of the week?

I realize that, following all these recent sales, I own most of the good games that came out this year and I've played... well, pretty much nothing. Now that the girls are going to bed earlier, I should be able to pull myself away from watching Supernatural to roll through some games.

With only a week to play, most of us won't finish the games on the list but I'm betting most of us have already played some stuff on there, so that will give everyone a free week here or there. Then there are games like the Walking Dead which I think would need to be played slowly. Blowing through that game would ruin a lot of its impact, probably. Plus, Clocky will already have the games in order. If we start with 10 and work our way down, we'll know when the discussion date for each game is long in advance.

Then there are games like the Walking Dead which I think would need to be played slowly. Blowing through that game would ruin a lot of its impact, probably. Plus, Clocky will already have the games in order.

Eh, I played from the start of episode 2 to the end in four days, I think it did exactly what it was supposed to do.

demonbox wrote:

I hope I won.

I voted for Minarchist. You can't vote for yourself and he was the only other correct person here.

[size=20]DayZ[/size]- I said when it was released that this would be my GOTY. No other game gave me so many different stories to tell and no other game made me feel like I was fighting for my life. The amount of different empotions this survival game is simply unbelievable. Nothing is more exciting/ terrifying than seeing another player. This was until the hackers came and killed it. I am very much looking forward to the stand alone game.

Planetside 2- Best when played with tons of people this game really brings out global persistant warfare like no other. I am addicted.

The Walking Dead- Best story in a game

Dishonored: Even though I havent finished it yet it deserves my vote. It's amazing.

XCom: I got super addicted to this game but stopped playing halfway through Classic Ironman. It kicked my as too much to move on. I loved the difficulty and the 1 more turn addiction.

Any interest in a game of the week club to roll through the top 10 a week at a time and discuss it in IRC or Vent at the end of the week?

I realize that, following all these recent sales, I own most of the good games that came out this year and I've played... well, pretty much nothing. Now that the girls are going to bed earlier, I should be able to pull myself away from watching Supernatural to roll through some games.

With only a week to play, most of us won't finish the games on the list but I'm betting most of us have already played some stuff on there, so that will give everyone a free week here or there. Then there are games like the Walking Dead which I think would need to be played slowly. Blowing through that game would ruin a lot of its impact, probably. Plus, Clocky will already have the games in order. If we start with 10 and work our way down, we'll know when the discussion date for each game is long in advance.

What do you think? If people are interested, I'll get a thread going.

I'd be down. It'd give me a plausible excuse to not play something I own besides League of Legends.

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight." -Blitzcrank Roosevelt

Any interest in a game of the week club to roll through the top 10 a week at a time and discuss it in IRC or Vent at the end of the week?

I realize that, following all these recent sales, I own most of the good games that came out this year and I've played... well, pretty much nothing. Now that the girls are going to bed earlier, I should be able to pull myself away from watching Supernatural to roll through some games.

With only a week to play, most of us won't finish the games on the list but I'm betting most of us have already played some stuff on there, so that will give everyone a free week here or there. Then there are games like the Walking Dead which I think would need to be played slowly. Blowing through that game would ruin a lot of its impact, probably. Plus, Clocky will already have the games in order. If we start with 10 and work our way down, we'll know when the discussion date for each game is long in advance.

What do you think? If people are interested, I'll get a thread going.

I'd be down. It'd give me a plausible excuse to not play something I own besides League of Legends.

I'd have an interest for the exact same reason as Squee. Far too much league.

"Supporting is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." Dwight "Squee" Eisenhower

Any interest in a game of the week club to roll through the top 10 a week at a time and discuss it in IRC or Vent at the end of the week?

I realize that, following all these recent sales, I own most of the good games that came out this year and I've played... well, pretty much nothing. Now that the girls are going to bed earlier, I should be able to pull myself away from watching Supernatural to roll through some games.

With only a week to play, most of us won't finish the games on the list but I'm betting most of us have already played some stuff on there, so that will give everyone a free week here or there. Then there are games like the Walking Dead which I think would need to be played slowly. Blowing through that game would ruin a lot of its impact, probably. Plus, Clocky will already have the games in order. If we start with 10 and work our way down, we'll know when the discussion date for each game is long in advance.

What do you think? If people are interested, I'll get a thread going.

I'd be down. It'd give me a plausible excuse to not play something I own besides League of Legends.

I'd have an interest for the exact same reason as Squee. Far too much league.

If we have the same crew for this as we do for League, discussions will certainly be... interesting =)

I'll start it up when Clocky gets the list done and she posts it. Should be a good time.

Oh well, Dark Souls is already contender for my 2013 game of the year having only played 2.5 hours instead of cooking dinner when I was really hungry. It was so good I forgot I was hungry until ravenous hunger overcame me 5-10mins after quiting out of the game - at 10PM. I really went into the game thinking it would be not my thing at all given oh so many variables. Now I'm pretty sold on the game.

As he says, it may not be the mechanically best game of the year, but it really should be played. Very meaty narrative.

You know I am a big fan of games with really good narratives and I will put up with a bit to experience them but the game-play has to be at least a little interesting. Spec Ops wasn't even as good of a shooter as Mass Effect 1 from what I played of it. I think I would be better served just watching the cut-scenes on YouTube.